Ever since we learned that Jerryd Bayless would be wearing #0 at Arizona, the comparisons between the two have been non-stop.  Aside from sharing a number and an alma-mater, they both share very similar playing styles and they both are remarkably productive.  But as Jerryd starts on his NBA journey, it looks like he wants to be his own man:

Just like Gilbert Arenas before him, Portland combo guard Jerryd Bayless wore No. 0 during his days as a Wildcat at the University of Arizona.

Also, just like Arenas, Bayless’ stock dropped on Draft night. While Agent Zero was projected as a mid-to-late first round pick and fell to No. 30, the 6-3, 200-pound Bayless was slated as a top-five pick and ended up not getting selected until Indiana scooped him off the board at No. 11 before trading him to Portland.

Even though No. 0 was available on the Trail Blazers’ roster, Bayless opted to take a new digit, No. 4, when he started his career as a pro. I asked him about the change and he said there was “no reason.” My guess is that he wanted to make a name for himself and avoid the Arenas comparisons that would surely surround him had he stuck with the big “o.”

So it looks like we can lay off the comparisons from now on, but if Jerryd starts rolling around Portland in a tricked out Escalade, all bets are off.